Indicating mechanism

ABSTRACT

A mechanism is disclosed for indicating when toner should be added to a toner reservoir in an electrographic machine. A blade positioned in the reservoir is urged in a direction which actuates a switch if toner in the reservoir offers less than a given amount of resistance to movement in that direction. When the level is low, resistance offered by the toner is below the given amount and the switch is actuated indicating to an operator that toner should be added. A mechanism is also disclosed in which the amount of movement of the blade is sensed and converted into a reading of the amount of toner in the reservoir.

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[ 2] Inventor Conrad Altman 2,520,500 8/1950 Gray ZOO/61.21 Rochester, N.Y. 2,545,992 3/1951 Dedio ZZZ/23X [21] Appl. 749,144 2,681,131 6/1954 Burrows et a1.... 116/114X 122 Filed J y 1, 1968 2,718,867 9/1955 Ray 1 116/114 1 1 Patented p 3,019,310 1/1962 Hoff ZOO/61.21 1 Assignee Eastman Kodak p y 3,393,280 7/1968 Skelton et a1.. 200/6121 Rochester, 3,396,694 8/1968 Gruber 116/1 14 3,496,352 2/1970 Jugle 355/3X INDICATING MECHANISM Primary Examiner-L0uis J. Capozi Claims, 7 Drawing Fi AttorneysRobert W. Hampton and Leonard W. Treash, Jr. [52] U.S.Cl 116/114, 73/149, ZOO/61.21, 340/246 lnt. A mechanism is disclosed for indicating when Field Of Search 1 16/1 14, toner should be added to a toner reservoir in an electrographic machine. A blade positioned in the reservoir is urged in a q direction which actuates a switch if toner in the reservoir 355/3, l 1 offers less than a given amount of resistance to movement in that direction. When the level is low, resistance offered by the [56] References cued toner is below the given amount and the switch is actuated UNITED STATES PATENTS indicating to an operator that toner should be added. 1,024,850 4/1912 Hill 116/ 114 A mechanism is also disclosed in which the amount of 1,391,504 9/ 1921 Renkin l 16/ 1 14UX movement of the blade is sensed and converted into a reading 2,181,582 1 1/1939 Gerber 1 16/ 1 14X of the amount of toner in the reservoir.

Patented April 13, 1971 FIG-5 FIG- 4 F IG- 7 I CONRAD ALTMANN INVbNTOR.

FIG- 6 ATTORNEYS I INDICA'IING MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to electrography, and more particularly, to a mechanism for sensing the level of toner in a toner reservoir of an electrographic machine.

Electrographic machines, for example, electrophotographic copying apparatus, commonly use either liquid toner or dry toner powder for developing electrical images. Mechanisms for indicating the level of a liquid toner are simply designed using a float or other similar device. However, mechanisms for indicating the level of a dry toner powder are less conveniently constructed. It is common in present commercial apparatus to use a manually operated dip stick. If an operator neglects to insert such a dip stick, toner can become exhausted and the quality of the copy can become deteriorated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a device which automatically indicates when toner in a toner reservoir drops below a given level.

This and other objects are accomplished by a mechanism in which a sensing member, shaped to be restricted in movement by toner, is positioned in the reservoir. The sensing member, for example, a blade, is urged periodically in a direction normally restricted by toner. A predetermined amount of movement in that direction is sensed by an indicating mechanism. The urging force is such that, if more than a given amount of resistance is offered by the toner to movement of the sensing member, the indicating mechanism is not actuated, whereas if toner in the reservoir has been reduced to a level at which it offers less than said given amount of resistance, the indicating mechanism will be actuated.

It is a feature of the invention that the mechanism can operate to give either an empty-not empty" signal or to sense the amount of movement of the sensing member and give a quantitative indication of the level of toner in the reservoir.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a vertical section of a toner reservoir illustrating full and empty levels therein.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section of a toner reservoir illustrating use of a sensing mechanism constructed according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a vertical section along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are side elevations of alternative indicating mechanisms for use with the sensing mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 with portions eliminated for clarity of illustration.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation of a embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a vertical section of a toner reservoir illustrating the employment of two sensing mechanisms to give indications as the top of the toner reaches two levels.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS According to FIG. 1, a toner reservoir I for an electrographic machine is periodically filled by an operator to a fully level 2. As toner is metered from the reservoir through an orifice 3 for use in the machine by a suitable means, not shown, the top level of toner reduces to a level 4 at which toner should be added to assure no loss in quality of the machine product.

As shown in FIGS. 2 through 7, an automatic device indicating when toner should be added is provided. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a sensing member 5 secured to a shaft 6 by a connecting member 7 is positioned in the reservoir 1. The shaft 6 is joumaled in sidewalls 8 and 9 of the reservoir 1 for rotation about an axis It). The sensing member 5 is bladedshaped so that it is easily restricted in movement by toner in blade assembly for the I the reservoir. The sensing member 5 is positioned so that the force of toner restricting its movement will lessen as the amount of toner in the reservoir 1 approaches the level 4 at which it is desired to have an operator refill the reservoir.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, secured to one end of the shaft 6 outside of the reservoir 1 is a rotatable member 11 which is resisted in movement by opposed resilient means 12 and 13 connected adjacent one end of member II. A periodic force urging rotation of rotatable member 11 is applied by a suitable means, for example, a solenoid 14 connected by a resilient means I5 to an end of the rotatable member 11 opposite resilient means I2 and 13. This force urges member 11 to rotate so that one end thereof will move toward a switch 16 which in turn is connected to an indicating means, for example, an indicator light 17 on a control panel of the machine. The force applied by solenoid 14 to rotatable member 11 is such that the rotatable member 11 will actuate the switch 16 if the sensing member 5 is not restricted by toner above the add toner level 4. However, if toner is above the add toner level 4, it will restrict movement of sensing member 5 and, hence, movement of rotatable member 11. Switch 16 will not be actuated and the indicating light 17 will remain off.

In a preferred embodiment solenoid 14 is actuated periodically and momentarily by a timing device 18 linked to a timing cycle of the machine. Return of sensing member 5 to its original position after being urged out of position by solenoid 14 is accomplished by resilient means 12 and 13 and can be assisted by vibrating the reservoir 1 with a vibrating device 19, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which also can be used to loosen toner for a dispensing operation.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a mechanical indicating mechanism can be used. A needle 20 frictionally engaged with an indicating scale 21 is mounted for rotational movement about an axis 22. As rotatable member 11 is urged by solenoid 14, it contacts a portion 23 of needle 20 opposite the scale 21 and moves the needle 20 to a position representing the amount of movement of rotational member 11. Subsequent actuations of solenoid 14 cause rotatable member 11 to move further as the toner level in the reservoir goes down thereby moving needle 20 from one end of the scale 21 to the other.

As shown in FIG. 6, to give a more linear movement to needle 20 as toner is reduced in the reservoir, it is preferable to provide a blade 31 mounted on a shaft 36 which blade is triangular in shape.

In certain applications it may be desirable to give more than one indicating signal as toner is in various conditions of supply. Referring to FIG. 7, a device is provided which gives first a low" signal and then an add toner" or out of toner signal by providing two blades 41 and 42 mounted as in FIGS. 2 through 4. When toner in the reservoir drops below a levelrestricting blade 41, a rotatable member 43 actuates a switch, not shown, to give a low" signal to an operator. When toner drops below a level-restricting blade 42, a rotatable member 44 coupled thereto actuates a switch which gives a suitable signal indicating toner must be added.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described hereinabove and as defined in the appended claims.

Iclaim:

I. For use with a toner reservoir in an electrographic machine, an indicating mechanism responsive to toner in said reservoir above a predetermined level, said mechanism comprising:

sensing means movably mounted in said reservoir, at least a portion of said sensing means being biased to a first position at which said sensing means is restricted in movement in a given direction by toner above said predetermined level;

indicating means actuatable in response to movement of said sensing means in said given direction; and

means for periodically urging movement of said sensing means in said given direction with uniform force sufficient to overcome said bias to said first position so as to actuate said indicating means in an inverse proportion to the amount of toner above said predetermined level.

2. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said indicating means is a pointer periodically contacted by said sensing means for movement to an indicating position during movement of said sensing means.

3. For use with a toner reservoir in an electrographic machine, a mechanism for indicating that toner in said reservoir is below a predetermined level, said mechanism comprising:

sensing means movably mounted in said reservoir, at least a portion of said sensing means positioned to be restricted in movement in a given direction by toner above said predetermined level;

indicating means actuatable by a predetermined amount of movement of said sensing means in said given direction; and

means for momentarily urgir'ig movement of said sensing means in said given direction, said urging means exerting sufficient force to actuate} said indicating means when said sensing means is free of restriction by toner above said predetermined level but exerting insufficient force to actuate said indicating means when said toner is above said predetermined level.

4. A mechanism according to claim 3 wherein said sensing means includes a blade connected to a shaft joumaled for rotation in said reservoir, and

said urging means includes means for imparting rotational motion to said shaft.

5. The mechanism according to claim 3 wherein said urging means is a momentarily actuatable solenoid.

6. A mechanism according to claim 5 including means coupled to a timing cycle of said electrographic machine for actuating said solenoid periodically according to a predetermined number of cycles of said machine.

7. For use with a particulate material reservoir, a mechanism for indicating that particulate material in said reservoir is below a predetermined level, said mechanism comprising:

a shaft rotatable about an axis;

a blade connected to said shaft for rotation around said axis,

at least a portion of said blade being positioned in said means for momentarily urging rotation of said shaft with a force sufficient to cause said actuating means to close said switch if said particulate material is below said predetermined level in said reservoir. 8. The invention defined in claim 3 wherein said indicating means includes:

a. an electrically energizable signal device;

b. a nonnally open switch located, with respect to said' sensing means, so as to be closed in response to said predetermined amount of movement of said sensing means; and

c. circuit means connected to said switch means and said signal device for connecting said signal device to a source of electrical energy upon closing of said switch means.

9, In combination with electrographic apparatus having a.

toner supply reservoir, a device for providing a signal for replenishment of toner in said supply reservoir, said device comprising:

a. sensing means mounted for movement in said supply reservoir, said sensing means being biased to a first position in said reservoir at which at least a portion of said sensing means is restrained in movement by toner above a predetermined level insaid supply reservoir; b. means coupled to said sensing means for periodically urging movement of said sensing means in a first direction, said urging means periodically exerting a uniform force sufficient to overcome the bias of said sensing means to said first position; and

c. means operatively associated with said sensing means for response to a signalling toner replenishment in predetermined movement of said sensing means.

10. The invention defined in claim 9 wherein said combination further includes vibratory means for assisting movement of said sensing means to said first position between the periodic operations of said urging means. 

1. For use with a toner reservoir in an electrographic machine, an indicating mechanism responsive to toner in said reservoir above a predetermined level, said mechanism comprising: sensing means movably mounted in said reservoir, at least a portion of said sensing means being biased to a first position at which said sensing means is restricted in movement in a given direction by toner above said predetermined level; indicating means actuatable in response to movement of said sensing means in said given direction; and means for periodically urging movement of said sensing means in said given direction with uniform force sufficient to overcome said bias to said first position so as to actuate said indicating means in an inverse proportion to the amount of toner above said predetermined level.
 2. A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said indicating means is a pointer periodically contacted by said sensing means for movement to an indicating position during movement of said sensing means.
 3. For use with a toner reservoir in an electrographic machine, a mechanism for indicating that toner in said reservoir is below a predetermined level, said mechanism comprising: sensing means movably mounted in said reservoir, at least a portion of said sensing means positioned to be restricted in movement in a given direction by toner above said predetermined level; indicating means actuatable by a predetermined amount of movement of said sensing means in said given direction; and means for momentarily urging movement of said sensing means in said given direction, said urging means exerting sufficient force to actuate said indicating means when said sensing means is free of restriction by toner above said predetermined level but exerting insufficient force to actuate said indicating means when said toner is above said predetermined level.
 4. A mechanism according to claim 3 wherein said sensing means includes a blade connected to a shaft journaled for rotation in said reservoir, and said urging means includes means for imparting rotational motion to said shaft.
 5. The mechanism according to claim 3 wherein said urging means is a momentarily actuatable solenoid.
 6. A mechanism according to claim 5 including means coupled to a timing cycle of said electrographic machine for actuating said solenoid periodically according to a predetermined number of cycles of said machine.
 7. For use with a particulate material reservoir, a mechanism for indicating that particulate material in said reservoir is below a predetermined level, said mechanism comprising: a shaft rotatable about an axis; a blade connected to said shaft for rotation around said axis, at least a portion of said blade being positioned in said reservoir above said predetermined level; switch means; indicating means actuable by said switch means; actuating means fixedly connected to said shaft for rotation therewith, engageable with said switch means in response to a given amount of rotation of said shaft to close said switch; and means for momentarily urging rotation of said shaft with a force sufficient to cause said actuating means to close said switch if said particulate material is below said predetermined level in said reservoir.
 8. The invention defined in claim 3 wherein said indiCating means includes: a. an electrically energizable signal device; b. a normally open switch located, with respect to said sensing means, so as to be closed in response to said predetermined amount of movement of said sensing means; and c. circuit means connected to said switch means and said signal device for connecting said signal device to a source of electrical energy upon closing of said switch means.
 9. In combination with electrographic apparatus having a toner supply reservoir, a device for providing a signal for replenishment of toner in said supply reservoir, said device comprising: a. sensing means mounted for movement in said supply reservoir, said sensing means being biased to a first position in said reservoir at which at least a portion of said sensing means is restrained in movement by toner above a predetermined level in said supply reservoir; b. means coupled to said sensing means for periodically urging movement of said sensing means in a first direction, said urging means periodically exerting a uniform force sufficient to overcome the bias of said sensing means to said first position; and c. means operatively associated with said sensing means for signalling toner replenishment in response to a predetermined movement of said sensing means.
 10. The invention defined in claim 9 wherein said combination further includes vibratory means for assisting movement of said sensing means to said first position between the periodic operations of said urging means. 